Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis, MN

One of our favorite places in the world. I love it because I was born there. Minnesota is and will forever be my motherland. Phil loves is for other more practical reasons. (none of which has to do with the length or potency of the winters there)

 

Reasons we love Minneapolis MN:

1. Friends and Family who live there
2. Summer: perfect temperatures for being outdoors and enjoying any of the available 10,000+ lakes. May through September experiences an average low of 53 F. and high of 78 F.
3. the Food scene

check out http://www.vita.mn/ for local information on Food, Concerts, the Arts etc.

 

 

Our Recommendations



Eat Here

Lucia's- www.lucias.com It was here that I began my Pastry career, I could not have asked for a better beginning. To this day it is the 1st place we return to each and every time we find ourselves back in the neighborhood. Whether you are looking for coffee and a breakfast pastry, a casual/upscale lunch or dinner, or just a few drinks and an appetizer Lucia's has you covered. Any choice is the best and most delicious choice you could have made.
La Belle Vie- www.labellevie.us This is where Phil and I had dinner the night he proposed. I'm pretty certain that neither of us has had a better meal sense. NOTE: this is a Special Occasion place, unless of course you happen to have a couple $100's lying around. Either way the price is worth the experience 100%

Punch Pizza- www.punchpizza.com Neapolitan style. Phil and I changed our entire homemade pizza identity because we needed to have this pizza in our lives after we moved away. Don't forget the Chopped Italian Salad!

Brasa- www.brasa.us Its a Rotisserie. I've never been to any other Rotisserie; I don't think I'll ever want to. This place satisfies that place in your heart that longs for Southern comfort food, and then rearranges that place so that nothing else will do. *Great place for Gluten Free Food!!!

Alma- restaurantalma.com Confession: I have not actually been to this establishment. Two things I do know 1. Alma was opened by Alexander Roberts 8 years before he opened Brasa (yes the amazing Rotisserie just above on this list) 2. Ann Bridges is the Pastry Chef. I worked with Ann at Lucia's, when we were both at the very beginning of our pastry careers. Her dedication to her craft is immense. I respect her work entirely, and cannot wait until I can take the previous confession off of this note.

Sebastian Joes- sebastianjoesicecream.com If you know Phil you know that he holds strong opinions; you also know that he LOVES ice cream. If you ask him where to get the best ice cream he will send you here. In fact we would just take you ourselves, why miss an opportunity to enjoy the best ice cream there is?

Café Lurcat/ Bar Lurcat- www.cafelurcat.com (Also available in Naples, FL if you happen to be in that neighborhood instead) Get the Lurcat Burgers, get the Lurcat Burgers,...get the Lurcat Burgers. (Bar Menu)

Stella's Fish Café & Prestige Oyster bar- stellasfishcafe.com Amazing Happy hour specials! There are fancier places in town to get oysters, but why not enjoy them in your favorite pair of jeans while you sip two for one drinks? (September- April is the best time to get fresh oysters in the Midwest)


Go Here

Lake Calhoun, Lake of The Isles, Lake Harriet - If you find one you've found all 3. They are connected by paved trails which are accessible to walkers, bike riders, and roller bladders alike. Located in Uptown. Just a 4 block walk from Lucia's!

Sculpture Garden- garden.walkerart.org Great place to spend one of those perfect Summer afternoons.

Twins or Vikings game- Let's be honest I'm running on loyalty at this point, but win or lose live sports can be a lot of fun. (Timberwolves... have yet to inspire my loyalty)

Ice Skating- www.thedepotminneapolis.com/ice-rink.php If you're not quite accustomed to the winter weather you can still enjoy the season. If it happens to be a tolerably nice day there are countless outdoor rinks that are open to the public.


Shop Here

Kitchen Window- www.kitchenwindow.com Greatest Kitchen Store. Everything you need, everything you think you need, anything you think someone else might need.

Magers & Quinn- www.magersandquinn.com Need a good book before you hit the beach (the beach that happens to be a lovely 4 block walk from here)?

CB2- www.cb2.com Crate&Barrel's cool little brother. Not many locations around so take the time to see and feel for yourself what many people can only imagine via their magazines and web site. We are currently furnishing our apartment with CB2... just say'n.

Mall of America- www.mallofamerica.com This place will blow your mind and your pocketbook before you can say "Did you remember where we parked?" You might as well plan to make a day of it. 1: because everything is there. 2: because when you finally find your way out you will be left with exactly 0% energy for anything else. Not to say that the parking lot or the layout is extraordinarily confusing; it's just the enormity of it all. One more thing... the amusement park was way better as Camp Snoopy. Charles M. Schulz's characters belong there, Sponge Bob is an intruder.

After Reminiscing over all of this, what I wouldn't give for a trip to the Twin Cities!